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Author Topic: Had a mild paddy in the clinic  (Read 5603 times)

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Offline timsdm

  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« on: June 29, 2006, 11:16:23 am »
I don't post often but thought I would share my recent experience with you all.
Brief summary - diagnosed since March 06 after getting seriously ill (nearly died) with PCP, after a hiccup with the hospital thinking I had TB (lab error) started meds (Kivexa and Sustiva) 6 weeks ago VL already dropped by 200000 no change really in CD4 (still 80ish).
Anyhow I was on Septrin to prevent the PCP but developed an allergy to it so went onto Pentamidine every 2 weeks combined with a clinic appt every 3 weeks - it makes working shifts difficult.
To make matters worse the wait to see the doctor can take up to 2 1/2 hours (the record so far) and the very brief chat only takes 5/10 Min's - he's an excellent Dr and hence very popular.
So I turn up on Monday for a 1330 appt followed by a 1400 nebulizer appt - 1415 still not seen the Dr - not normally an issue but I was meant to be at work that afternoon.
I politely complain about the wait and the impact it has on me esp. trying to hold down a full time job - nurses then tell me the Dr actually doesn't turn up till 1400 for his clinic - i remind the nurse that it is a bit silly giving an appt time prior to the Dr turning up.
I then miss my turn in the queue for the Dr because in have to get my nebulizer as the room is booked solid all afternoon !!!
The head nurse overhears my conversation and suggests that I do the nebulizer at home (funny enough I used to be a nurse and specialised in HIV !!) and promptly comes along with a compressor and a box of goodies.
The Dr suddenly turned up apologised profusely - asking if there was anything else they could do for me - I told him to stop being nice as I already felt bad for complaining.

Whilst I think the clinic nurse are too busy running the clinic and forget to care for the patients - it's the age old story in the UK unless you stamp occasionally you wont get good service.

My point - not really sure what it was - the sustiva makes me really forgetfull - is the hour it takes me to get to the clinic - the hour (if not more) i wait to see the Dr - makes it all the more difficult to "manage" my HIV.

rant over

Thanks

Offline Dachshund

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,058
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2006, 11:30:24 am »


Bitch away my friend....here in the good ol' U S of A my doctor visit is an all day affair. I've learned not to schedule appt on a work day (if possible). I always apply Murphy's Law to a visit to the doc....if it can go wrong it will. Then, if it does not go wrong I'm a happy camper.

I am glad you are feeling better and keep that stiff British upper lip I so admire.

Hal ;)

Offline Poz Brit

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  • Posts: 158
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2006, 01:38:26 pm »
Rant and moan as much as you like, that the purpose of this place, I am also in the UK and have found my clinic always more than helpful and friendly, oh, and welcome to these forums.

John(UK)

Offline carousel

  • Member
  • Posts: 821
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2006, 02:07:06 pm »
.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 11:47:16 am by carousel »

Offline Bartro

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  • Posts: 124
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2006, 03:06:44 pm »
I must pay a compliment to my doctor.  I have never had to wait more than ten minutes in the waiting room.  The doctor and nurses have wireless notebook computers.  They pull up my records or order lab work in an instant.  If I need any medications he orders them on his computer and I can pick them up at the pharmacy on the way home.  The only complaint is the traffic on the way there and back.  They put in a bunch of these darn round-abouts and I just can get the hang of the more complicated ones. 

I was diagnosed about three months ago.  I've responded well to the medications (Sustiva and Truvada)with very minor side effects and my labs improve with every test.  I haven't missed a day of work.  I feel better than I have in years (physically).  My best wishes to you all and feel fortunate to have found this forum. 
« Last Edit: June 29, 2006, 03:10:39 pm by Bartro »
Rusty

Offline sdcabincrew74

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    • My Manhunt account
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2006, 04:16:46 pm »
All day affairs are the norm at doctors.  I got lucky, my doctor usually sees me within 20 minutes of the appointment time.
The difference between an overnight and a layover is luck!

Offline Joel90069

  • Member
  • Posts: 28
  • "Another turning point a fork stuck in the road."
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2006, 07:23:49 pm »
I wouldn't tolerate any of that. Perhaps it has to do with the area you live. I'm in Southern California and, to be honest, there are a number of decent HIV doctors. I have the luxury of knowing I can go elsewhere if treated that way. I never wait more then 5 minutes past my appointment time, rarely feel rushed when my doctor sees me and always have my telephone calls returned quickly. All of those things are very important. Your time is just as valuable as theres. Definitely let them know how you feel and start looking for a new doctor if they don't respond in an acceptable way! You deserve better.

Offline Dachshund

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  • Posts: 6,058
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2006, 07:59:47 pm »
I wouldn't tolerate any of that. Perhaps it has to do with the area you live. I'm in Southern California and, to be honest, there are a number of decent HIV doctors. I have the luxury of knowing I can go elsewhere if treated that way. I never wait more then 5 minutes past my appointment time, rarely feel rushed when my doctor sees me and always have my telephone calls returned quickly. All of those things are very important. Your time is just as valuable as theres. Definitely let them know how you feel and start looking for a new doctor if they don't respond in an acceptable way! You deserve better.


Sometime the poor and uninsured just don't have that luxury....no insurance=limited choices.

Offline Basquo

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,385
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2006, 08:24:25 pm »
A year ago I had to get a new doc as there were no ID docs on my plan and my regular doc wasn't comfortable ordering the HIV-routine tests.  The clinic I go to know sees many low-income patinets and they can be downright rude to people, but waiting and eveything is worth it because this doctor is wonderful.  I also have a professional acquaintance who works in their admin area so if things go really wrong I can always vent to her...and she got a nurse written up on my behalf not long ago!  Peace be with you.

Offline bocker3

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,285
  • You gotta enjoy life......
Re: Had a mild paddy in the clinic
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2006, 09:36:51 pm »
Definately no need to worry about ranting here....  it is the perfect place. 
I think there are 2 sides to waiting....  the scheduling of appts before a doctor arrives is, of course, nuts and I definately would be complaining myself.  I also hate when I'm waiting while a pharmacy rep is in with the doctor -- I mean, why give me an appt and then make me wait while a sales man is in there.
 I often have to wait 15-30 minutes for my Infectious Disease Doc appts, but I never mind because I know it due to another patient needing more time with my doctor.  I am very fortunate to have been sent to a wonderful practice where there are no nurses, only the 2 docs and 2 receptionists.  My doctor gets me in the waiting room, weighs me, takes my temp and blood pressure, then does my exam.  He asks how I'm doing health wise, mental health wise, how my homelife is...  it is so different from every other doctor/patient relationship I've had.  I even go to him for my blood draws -- no charge or co-pay for the draw.  It's like a free 15 mins visit every 3 months.  I'm approaching my 1 yr anniversary of my diagnosis -- this year has been the most stressful of my life, but at least my HIV doc isn't adding to it.

Given all this -- I have no problem if I have to wait, because I know if I need extra time with him, I get it!

I hope you get some better service where you are -- or find someplace else, if that is an option.

Rant on -- stress is not our friend, so let it out.

Mike

 


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